You can work out as much as you want & you still won't hit the right muscles. Best bet, go riding and see what hurts like hell the next day. I do a bunch of leg work, rows, balance & plyos and endurance stuff.

On a serious note, the best exercise I ever learned during re-hab was using a Bosu. (the fit ball cut in half on a round platform)

In addition to traditional hammy, quad, and calf exercises, my P.T. had me do tons of "band" work, and my favorite, which was standing on the Bosu,feet together and knees bent about 45 degrees. Keep your back straight, and with a 8 to 10lb. medicine ball, hold it with straight arms out in front of you. You lift the ball with straight arms over your head and slowly back down to starting position for 15 reps.(3 sets) You will be using your core muscles to remain balanced, meanwhile strengthening all of the ligaments surrounding the knees! It's great not only for re-hab, but for preventative maintenance as well!

Water skiing and wakeboarding are sports that use isometric muscular activity. It's a whole body sport with an emphasis on upper body and core.

Try this - when you lift next, reduce your weight, contract the muscle (in whatever lift you're doing), and hold it for 5 seconds (or slow the lifting movement WAY down and hold at the apex). Do your normal number of reps/sets. If you do this, it will wear your muscles out in a much different way than quick contract/release lifting.

Anyone else doing Yoga? 3 months now, and I am TOTALLY convinced that it is impacting my riding. Look for a power Yoga class in your area - where they do continuous Yoga positions in a heated room. I sweat more than when I sit in a sauna and get a GREAT isometric workout.

Jerram, I was going to comment on how much Yoga/Mat Pilates has helped me for both strength and balance, but I have to say I was a bit reluctant. Since you put it out there, I recommend it! It is great workout and I end up being sore in the same places as I am when I ride.

Dean - I sweat more in Power Yoga than running 5-6 miles or sitting in a sauna. My wife got me into it and I'm pumped to see what it's going to do for my balance, core and isometric toning this summer.

Not only that, but my flexibility has increased tremendously, which makes moves more fun and makes getting hurt harder.